Former CIA Officer Sentenced to 10 Years for Spying for China and Selling Secrets

A former CIA officer, whose identity has been unveiled as Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, aged 71, now based in Honolulu, has been sentenced to a decade in prison for his participation in espionage activities on behalf of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed this information in a press release, shedding light on the gravity of Ma's actions.

Background of the Case

Ma's covert dealings with the PRC came to light in August 2020, when he was apprehended after inadvertently revealing his illicit activities to an undercover FBI operative. The former CIA officer confessed to divulging classified information to intelligence operatives affiliated with the PRC's Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB).

Notably, both Ma and a conspiracy associate, who is also his blood relative, had previously served with the CIA. Ma's period of employment spanned from 1982 to 1989, while his relative's tenure extended from 1967 to 1983. During their service, both individuals held top-secret security clearances, providing them access to sensitive and classified CIA information

Additionally, they had signed nondisclosure agreements to further safeguard the sensitive information to which they were privy.

Collaboration with Chinese Intelligence

As part of his plea agreement, Ma acknowledged that in March 2001, he received contact from SSSB officers to facilitate a meeting between himself and his co-conspirator. The duo subsequently convened with SSSB intelligence officers for three days at a hotel in Hong Kong, during which a significant volume of classified information was purportedly shared for a monetary compensation of $50,000.

Continuing the Espionage Activities

Two years after this initial engagement with the PRC, Ma sought employment as a contract linguist for the FBI’s Honolulu field office. Demonstrating a keen awareness of Ma’s ties with the PRC, the FBI appointed him to covertly observe and scrutinize his interactions and activities with the SSSB. Ma’s collaboration with the FBI persisted from August 2004 until October 2012, during which period he reportedly operated part-time at an offsite location.

Throughout this course of employment, the SSB enlisted Ma's assistance in identifying individuals of interest, manifesting a deeper involvement in espionage activities.

Confession and Legal Consequences

Following his arrest, Ma confessed to conspiring with his co-conspirator and the SSB to convey information that he knew would be leveraged against the U.S. or used to bolster the PRC's position. During the court hearing and in legal documents, the government characterized Ma’s conduct as a protracted conspiracy to engage in espionage. The materials exchanged during the conspired activities were acquired by his co-conspirator during their respective tenures with the CIA.

As part of the sentencing, Ma is obligated to cooperate with U.S. authorities throughout his lifetime, which includes undergoing debriefings as mandated by relevant U.S. agencies.

Sentencing and Future Compliance

The legal proceedings culminated in Ma receiving a ten-year prison sentence, to be followed by five years of supervised release. These penalties reflect the severity of the espionage activities he engaged in and the potential threats posed to national security.